Date: March 5, 2008
Place: Seneca Building
Project: City of Bradford Master Plan
Client: City of Bradford
Time: 2:15 pm – 3:00 pm
MCF No.: 44506002
Attendees:
John Osborne, Downtown Building Owner
*** McDowell, BAA
Sara Andrews, City of Bradford OECD
Debbie Huston, City of Bradford OECD
Roberta Sarraf, Zoning/Planning Consultant
Albert Filoni, MacLachlan, Cornelius & Filoni, Inc.
Ken Lee, MacLachlan, Cornelius & Filoni, Inc.
Amy Maceyko, MacLachlan, Cornelius & Filoni, Inc.
Purpose: To discuss Veteran’s Square and possible uses for the buildings around it.
Items Discussed:
1. Mr. Filoni began by discussing the goals and the purpose of the master plan. Studies in the past have focused on specific challenges instead of being a comprehensive plan for the whole Tuna Valley. The goal of this process is to develop a series of actionable strategies that all three municipalities can endorse and to engage residents in the process so they will work together to improve the community after the planning process is over. The planning team is meeting with as many groups as possible to understand the myriad of issues that affect all three municipalities and determine the best group of strategies for improving the quality of life in Bradford. One of the major foci of all three municipalities is downtown Bradford and how to make it a more vibrant and inviting place for the benefit of the whole region.
2. Mr. Andrews brought a lot and block map of the block behind Veteran’s square to facilitate discussion.
3. Mr. Osborne owns the property numbered 103109. His building and 103110 are already open to each other on the upper floors. Mr. Filoni explained the idea of creating one long parking lot in the middle of the block to make a more efficient and organized space. This would make parking seem less difficult and clean up the appearance of the area. Mr. Osborne would have no problem removing the outcroppings from the back of his building to make the parking area in the middle of the block more efficient.
4. Mr. Filoni explained the idea of creating an elevator core that could be shared by several buildings to make it easier to rent the upper floors while sharing the cost to install and maintain such a high ticket item. The core would also include a fire stair to eliminate the need for any exterior fire escapes. Mr. Osborne was amenable to the idea and would be willing to explore it in more detail with MCF and the other nearby building owners.
5. The Sieman’s building on the corner (103101) has a tire business in it. It would be great with parking on the first floor and condos above.
6. Mr. Osborne wouldn’t have any concerns about renting apartments in his building to University students. But the parking situation has to work in order to make apartment rental feasible. Some designated parking would need to be available to renters nearby. Not necessarily next to the building, but within a block or two.
7. Mr. Filoni would suggest loft apartments since the building is narrow and only has windows at the front and rear. These are very popular with students and young professionals. These types of units are renting well in Pittsburgh.
8. Mr. Osborne thinks there are a few obstacles to a more active downtown core in Bradford. One is the business privaledge tax, which is a percentage of total revenue (.006%?). Another is the high number of parking meters all over downtown and the restriction on parking overnight downtown. And he also thinks there is a high number of tax-exempt properties in the city which raises the tax burden on the rest of the property owners. Addressing these issues would have a positive effect on downtown Bradford.
With no further items for discussion, the meeting was adjourned. The foregoing constitutes the major items accepted by the attendees. If there are any additions or corrections to these minutes, please notify the Architect.
Respectfully submitted,
MacLachlan, Cornelius & Filoni, Inc.
Amy P. Maceyko, AIA, LEED AP